Abstract The paper relates that these novels were written more than a century apart, yet both authors take a similar approach by speculating about the society of the future in order to comment upon the failures of his/her contemporary society. The paper discusses the content of both novels. The paper notes that the vision by Bellamy is more hopeful about what the future might bring, while the pessimism of the Atwood novel derives in part from the fact that it is set in the future and so shows a belief that the problems of the present may only get worse.
From the Paper "Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward was written in 1887 during the period of American industrialization, at a time when the cities were becoming more crowded, labor conditions were deteriorating, populations were shifting from rural to urban areas, crime was increasing, and other ills were being visited on society. The story tells of a man who, like Rip Van winkle, falls asleep and wakes years later to find himself in a new world, and he then looks back to his own era to see how forces in his time produced the world he finds himself in more than a century later--indeed, in our own time, the year 20000. The central character is Julian West, a young man from Boston who sleeps for 113 years. The world he experiences can be considered Bellamy's utopian ideal."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts three areas of Bellamy's utopian future with the realities of late-nineteenth century life. It explains how Bellamy's work represents the belief in "Progress" so prevalent in the late nineteenth century. The writer shows how Bellamy predicts that the future utopian society will depend on rational organization rather than technical innovation, to succeed and grow. Yet is shows that by the year 2000, exactly the opposite occurred, and our society is far from utopian.
From the Paper "When Bellamy wrote "Looking Backward" "was the most popular book at the turn of the century, printed in many millions of copies in the United States, translated into over twenty languages" (Bellamy v). The future seemed a long way away, and yet here it is. "The impact of Looking Backward is, to a large extent, due to the remarkable vision of the book, its poignant criticism of nineteenth-century society, and its attractive style?" (Bellamy vi). He writes the story as if he is looking back at the 19th century from the year 2000, making a distinct commentary on the past, while praising what has occurred in the future. Incredibly, he has "slept" one hundred and thirteen years, and is now in the year 2000, looking back at his own antiquated society and ahead at the city of Boston as he sees it in 2000."
A look at how Harriet Beecher's Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" criticized the institution of slavery and sought to abolish it and how the utopian "Looking Backwards: 2000-1887", by Edward Bellamy, criticized the rapidly emerging capitalists of the time.
Abstract How literature not only reflects the time it is written in, but criticizes it and tries to remedy its ills. A discussion of "Uncle Tom's Cabin", by Harriet Beecher Stowe, on how the sale of Tom by Mr. Shelby reflects the attitudes of the slave trade held in the American South prior to the Civil War and how Stowe denounces the practice as not being Christian. Furthermore, it discusses such points as the role of Tom Looker and how he serves as a criticism of the Fugitive Slave Act and of Mr. Bird and the inaction of the U.S. government on the abolition of slavery. "Looking Backwards: 2000-1887", by Edward Bellamy, is also discussed, pointing out the deeds of the "robber barons" of Bellamy's time, such as Rockefeller and Morgan, criticizing these men and their greed. Includes a discussion on how the author sought to remedy the rapidly growing gap in American between the rich and poor with a socialist state.
From the Paper "Great literature is able to reflect upon its surrounding times. Truly great literature, however, is able to do that and more. Its is able to reflect upon it and criticize its? wrongs. Two classic American novels have done this. Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin or: Life among the lowly and Edward Bellamy's Looking Backwards:2000-1887 were both works on American literature that reflected upon common notions and practices of their time and sought to criticize them."
From the Paper "After reading Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman and Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy, I have just one thing to say, "These books should not be tossed aside lightly, rather they should be thrown with great force". With that said let's proceed with the assignment. Bellamy and Friedman each have a view of society as it should be, which is quite apart from what it currently is. Bellamy, writing in the later half of the nineteenth century, provides the reader with a utopian society completely controlled by the state. Friedman's view, expressed during the tumultuous 1960's, is as polar to that as north and south. Though not looking towards a utopia, he certainly is promoting some very wishful thinking."
Abstract "Looking Backward: 2000-1887" revolves around the author's portrayal of a society formed after a revolution that liberated the people from the terrors of capitalism. In this idealized version of the future, individuals and nations had abandoned the separate groupings and wishes of the former frenzied era in order to establish a communitarian utopia characterized by a singular party for the nation. This paper examines how some of Bellamy's pre-assumptions on human nature, history and social relationships shaped his novel.
From the Paper "Nevertheless, Edward Bellamy's presumptions fell short of a thoughtful analysis. In his liberation of individuals and safeguarding of human rights, Bellamy lost his grip on the basic element of collectivism in his utopian collectivist community. It is apparent that Bellamy's fabricated society rests upon an institution of isolated individuals, since less is told on the practical working and functioning of the society. An example of this is the telecommunication system setup in Bellamy's world that destabilized and weakened social interaction. Seemingly, hardly any one used to go to concerts and very few people went to churches as the purpose was served through telephonic, counseling, sermons and entertainment (Abrash, 1991)."
Abstract Edward Bellamy's novel, "Looking Backward: 200-1887", addresses the issue of industrialization in his time and his dream of a Utopian society. The novel follows a young Bostonian man through his journey from a time of social horrors to the perfect, or what seems to be perfect, future of a Utopia. The paper shows how the novel addresses the yearnings of a society stricken by economic panics and social collapse by proposing an Eden-like community in which war, hunger, greed and malice were eliminated from society.
From the Paper "As stated earlier, Bellamy used this novel as a way to convey his thoughts on a Utopia to the public. In a time when his society was in shambles, he thought this a perfect and simple solution to the many problems faced in the economy such as labor, education, and human equality. He believed that by granting the government complete control, complete harmony would be achieved. However, he neglected to see that the possibility of human behavior to change so drastically so as to not have greed, lust for money, or animosity toward those less fortunate, was near impossible."
From the Paper "Edward Bellamy, in his novel Looking Backward: 2000-1887, intends to portray a utopian future, but instead creates a society whose citizens are oppressed by the government. Bellamy makes clear in the novel itself, as well as in both his Preface and Postscript, that he believes the society he portrays is not only achievable but desirable, and that the government he portrays is not oppressive but instead essential to the creation and maintenance of such an ideal society. However, like all utopians, Bellamy sees what he wants to see and ignores the rest. The government in his society does indeed impose an oppressive regime upon the people. This study will examine the nature of that oppression and will illustrate it with examples and their negative effects.
The essence of the government's oppression is its failure to ..."
Abstract This paper explains that the original Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1882 by a Christian Socialist Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy, stated, ?I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.? The author points out that the phrase, "under God", which was added in 1954, has raised questions of its constitutionality because it may violate the concept of separation of church and state. The paper relates that the argument for the pledge revolves around the points that God is not bad for the American people or that supporters do fully concur with the idea of the separation of church and state. Color picture and annotated bibliography included.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Origins
Under God
Constitutionality
Those in Favor
Those Against
Conclusion
Annotated Bibliography
From the Paper "The original pledge has changed over the years. For example, in 1923 and 1924, against Bellamy's wishes, the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution changed the words 'my Flag,' to 'the Flag of the United States of America.' In 1954, the United States Congress added the words 'under God' to the Pledge because of a controversial campaign by the Knights of Columbus better known as the KKK. ?In June of 1954, at the height of the McCarthy hysteria, and at the urging of the Knights of Columbus, an amendment was made to add the words "under God." Then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower said of the pledge, "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and every rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty."?
Abstract This paper looks at the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, discusses its significance in American society and rebuts arguments that oppose the inclusion of the word "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
From the Paper "The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the greatest symbols of our most wonderful and blessed nation. Just the mention of it stirs to mind images of young children developing an understanding of devotion as they together face the classroom flag and chant in unison, of diverse people of all colors and walks of life finding a common goal as they recite the pledge, and of wartime veterans and the families of fallen heroes together saluting the America worth dying for. The Pledge of Allegiance is an important unifying and morale boosting element of our nation's history. However, recently it has come under attack by those who do not understand the importance of the Pledge as it is written today and the importance of it remaining intact for future generations of Americans. Some people believe that the inclusion of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is somehow unconstitutional or not politically correct. However, the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is essential to the American spirit of the Pledge and an important part of the Pledge tradition. There are many convincing reasons why "under God" should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance."
Abstract This paper reviews the novel "Looking Backward", which was written in 1888 and predicts a utopian-like life in the city of Boston at the turn of the 21st century. While the author finds some of his anecdotes about life in what is now modern times interesting, he is critical of the overall body of work and does not understand its popularity -- either with readers at the time or with critics today.
From the Paper "There is no doubt that this is an escapist book, hardly tinged with sadness or frustration. And, this is why it was so popular. It was what people wanted to believe about the future. It was the way dreamers saw America a hundreds years later. They did not want to see unions or strikes or further exploitation or monopolies or greed. They did not really want to see some sort of Marxist class struggle. Somehow, those who pulled society's coach and those who sat comfortably inside shared a common goal: to get somewhere without delay and with a minimum of pain and discomfort. Still, Bellamy's hidden agenda seems to imply that science, not human kindness and love for one's fellow man will create that perfect, idea, Utopian society."
Abstract 'The Pledge of Allegiance' was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and it has became obligatory in many U.S. states to cite this text every morning in educational facilities. This paper examines some of the religious controversies surrounding the 'Pledge of Allegiance', including the use of God's name and the issue of religious freedom.
From the Paper "In 1937 the Jehovah's Witnesses filed a complaint because they felt that their rights were being violated, specifically the First Amendment. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts rejected the complaint based upon the fact that the court felt the state had the right to teach patriotism and that the pledge did not restrain anyone from worshiping God as determined by the First Amendment."
